sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9/sitemap.xsd BrandArena : May 2026

Saturday, 30 May 2026

Akinwumi Adesina appointed chair of Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, former president of the African Development Bank Group, has been appointed inaugural chairperson of Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund, a major new initiative aimed at accelerating economic diversification in the diamond-rich nation.

Nigerian Breweries appoints Nkechi Runsewe as Human Resources Director

Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced the appointment of Nkechi Runsewe as its new Human Resources Director, effective 1 August 2026.

Anthropic overtakes OpenAI to become world’s most valuable AI startup after $965bn valuation surge

Anthropic has overtaken OpenAI to become the world’s most valuable artificial intelligence startup following a blockbuster $65 billion Series H funding round announced on Thursday.

Presco appoints François Van Hoydonck to board amid continued director exits

Presco Plc has appointed François Van Hoydonck as a Non-Executive Director, marking the second time in four months that the Nigerian palm oil producer has filled what it described as a "casual board vacancy" without disclosing which director left the board.

CBN Extends PoS Geo-Tagging Deadline to August 2026, Eases Location Compliance Rules

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has extended the enforcement deadline for its point-of-sale (PoS) geo-tagging regulations to 1 August 2026 and relaxed the operational radius requirement, increasing it from 10 metres to 70 metres.

Grammy House New York Returns for 2026 with Two-Day Celebration of Music, Diversity and Industry Innovation


The Recording Academy will bring back Grammy House New York for a second consecutive year, hosting a two-day pop-up event on 10 and 11 June 2026 that celebrates music, culture and community while highlighting the artists and industry leaders shaping the future of the business.

LG Electronics Brings Clean Water Relief to Akwa Ibom Community with Solar-Powered Borehole Project

Residents of Ifa Ikot Idang community in the Etoi Clan of Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have welcomed a major improvement in their quality of life following the donation of a solar-powered borehole by LG Electronics.

World Public Relations Forum 2026: Early Bird Registration Closes May 31


Public relations professionals across the world have been urged to take advantage of the early bird registration window for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, which closes on Sunday, 31 May.

Thursday, 28 May 2026

Promasidor Nigeria boosts Isolo community with borehole and water tower donation

Promasidor Nigeria has strengthened its corporate social responsibility commitment with the donation of a water tower and borehole system to the palace of the Osolo of Isolo Kingdom in Lagos State, in a move aimed at improving access to clean water within the host community.

Ride-hailing drivers petition Lagos AG over health insurance and welfare demands

Drivers operating on Uber, Bolt, inDrive and other ride-hailing platforms under the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) have petitioned the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), calling for the enforcement of a federal directive mandating digital transport companies to provide health insurance for drivers.

MTN Nigeria pays N878.7bn in taxes as revenue and profit surge in 2025

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has remitted N878.7 billion in taxes, levies and duties to federal and state authorities for the 2025 financial year, underscoring the growing role of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria’s non-oil revenue drive as the Federal Government intensifies fiscal reforms.

Nala secures $50m credit facility to expand stablecoin-powered cross-border payments



Tanzanian-founded fintech Nala has secured a credit financing facility of up to $50 million to scale its stablecoin-powered cross-border payments infrastructure, as demand for high-speed business-to-business transactions between emerging markets, Europe and the United States continues to grow.

Rite Foods marks Eid al-Kabir, calls for unity, gratitude and togetherness

Rite Foods Limited has extended warm greetings to Muslim faithful in Nigeria and across the world as they celebrate Eid al-Kabir, urging Nigerians to embrace the spirit of sacrifice, gratitude, love and togetherness that defines the Islamic festival.

AFRIMA and African Union celebrate rising African music stars at Diamond Party in Lagos

The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, is set to host the Diamond Party and Prize Presentation on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, at Voyage Lagos in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen talent development and support the long-term growth of Africa’s creative industry.

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Crystal Palace secure AI firm as new shirt sponsor ahead of Premier League betting ban

Crystal Palace have agreed a multi-year shirt sponsorship deal with software infrastructure company Temporal, replacing Asian betting firm Net88 as the club’s main front-of-shirt partner ahead of the Premier League’s voluntary ban on gambling sponsors.

FIFA launches Fan ID system to merge physical and digital experience at 2026 World Cup

FIFA is introducing a new Fan ID programme for the 2026 World Cup designed to bridge the gap between live stadium attendance and digital engagement, while also enabling the governing body to build more detailed profiles of supporters.

Ghana launches national e-visa platform, waives visa fees for African travellers

Ghana has launched a national electronic visa (e-visa) platform as part of efforts to modernise border management, improve travel efficiency, and deepen regional integration across Africa.

NDIC strengthens deposit insurance funds to reinforce Nigeria’s financial stability

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has pledged to further strengthen its Deposit Insurance Funds (DIFs) as part of efforts to enhance the stability and resilience of Nigeria’s financial system.

Accelerate Africa opens applications for fifth startup accelerator programme in Lagos

Accelerate Africa has opened applications for the fifth edition of its startup accelerator programme, which is scheduled to begin in August in Lagos.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce strengthens Ethiopia trade ties through Addis Ababa business mission

Dubai Chamber of Commerce has concluded a trade mission to Addis Ababa aimed at strengthening commercial ties between Dubai and Ethiopia through a series of bilateral meetings between companies from both markets.

Quest Merchant Bank earns stable outlook from GCR amid stronger market position

Quest Merchant Bank has reinforced its standing in Nigeria’s financial sector after GCR Ratings affirmed the bank’s national scale issuer ratings of BBB(NG) and A3(NG), while revising its outlook to Stable from Rating Watch Negative.

Saturday, 23 May 2026

Meta launches Forum app to expand Facebook Groups and community discussions

Meta has quietly rolled out a new standalone application called Forum, a Reddit-style platform designed to enhance Facebook Groups and encourage deeper, more organised community conversations.

Airtel Africa launches $50m share buyback to boost shareholder value

Airtel Africa has announced a share buyback programme worth at least $50 million as part of a broader capital allocation strategy aimed at strengthening shareholder value and boosting investor confidence.

Heliconia Park Hotel hosts Lagos tourism commissioner, industry leaders at exclusive cocktail evening

Heliconia Park Hotel & Spa Lagos hosted an exclusive cocktail evening attended by Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, alongside prominent business leaders and stakeholders from the oil and gas, hospitality and corporate sectors.

Friday, 22 May 2026

Griffin Capital Group launches integrated financial services platform to deepen capital markets in Nigeria and Africa

Griffin Capital Group Limited has officially entered the Nigerian market as a fully integrated financial services group, bringing together investment banking, asset management, trusteeship, lending and insurance services under a single institutional platform.

Emirates Skywards launches global rewards campaign with bonus Miles and travel savings

Emirates has unveiled a new global “Season of Rewards” campaign, offering members bonus Skywards Miles, Tier Miles, discounted reward flights and enhanced travel benefits across its international partner network.

Thursday, 21 May 2026

Wema Bank targets tier-one status after 116% surge in 2025 pretax profit

Wema Bank Plc has unveiled plans to attain tier-one banking status in Nigeria, backed by strong earnings growth, fresh capital inflows and an aggressive expansion strategy.

Paystack launches AI-powered dashboard to help businesses track performance in real time

Paystack has unveiled a newly rebuilt dashboard designed for the artificial intelligence era, introducing an AI-powered Command Centre that enables merchants to ask business questions in plain language and receive instant answers based on their transaction data.

Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Google rolls out biggest Search overhaul in 25 years as AI Mode reshapes web traffic, publishing revenue

Google has announced its biggest redesign of Search in 25 years, unveiling a major update at Google I/O 2026 as artificial intelligence continues to reshape how people access information online and how web traffic flows across the internet.

Nigeria and China partnership rooted in trust, mutual respect and strategic alignment, says NCSP

The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) has described relations between Nigeria and China as being built on mutual respect, trust and shared strategic interests, anchored on decades of diplomatic consistency and ideological alignment.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

How Chaka quietly became Hisa: the hit-and-miss of a low-profile fintech rebrand that left users confused

The transition of Nigerian investment platform Chaka into Hisa, alongside the broader consolidation with Kenya’s Hisa, has unfolded with little noise and even less clarity. Far from a loud or bold market repositioning, the shift has been notably subdued, almost invisible at times, leaving many users to piece together what was happening only after changes had already taken effect.

UK launches first pan-African founder support programme during London Tech Week

The UK government has launched its first coordinated pan-African founder support programme during London Tech Week, marking a major step in strengthening technology and investment ties between the UK and Africa.

African Marketplace 2026 set for Dubai return after successful debut

African Marketplace will return to Dubai for its second edition from 10 to 12 October 2026 at the Conrad Hotel Dubai, following the success of its inaugural event in 2025.

Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi named Co-Chairs of 2026 CMO Circle

The CMO Circle, Nigeria’s invitation-only forum for Chief Marketing Officers and senior marketing executives, has announced Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi as Co-Chairs for its 2026 edition.

MEST opens applications for 2027 Africa AI startup programme

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) has opened applications for the second edition of its AI Startup Program, a fully funded initiative aimed at equipping Africa’s emerging AI entrepreneurs with the skills required to build and scale globally competitive startups.

Saturday, 16 May 2026

Rite Foods marks International Day of Families, calls for stronger support for children and households

Rite Foods Limited has joined the global community in marking this year’s International Day of Families, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening families as the foundation of a stronger society.

Thursday, 14 May 2026

Grey named headline sponsor for Moonshot 2026 in Lagos

TechCabal has announced Grey, the US-based cross-border payments company, as the headline sponsor for Moonshot 2026, which returns to the National Theatre in Lagos, Nigeria, on 28 and 29 October 2026.

Spotify adopts Apple streaming technology to boost video podcast experience

Spotify has announced plans to adopt Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology as part of efforts to improve video podcast delivery and simplify cross-platform distribution for creators.

PenCom clears PFAs to invest in Dangote Refinery IPO under special regulatory approval

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has granted Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) a special regulatory dispensation to invest pension fund assets in the proposed Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE.

NIMC launches WhatsApp and live chat support for NIN services in Nigeria

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has introduced new WhatsApp and live chat support channels aimed at providing Nigerians with faster and more accessible assistance for National Identification Number (NIN) services.

First Bank appoints Julius Omodayo-Owotuga as Executive Director

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has appointed Dr Julius B. Omodayo-Owotuga as an Executive Director, effective 13 May 2026, in a move aimed at strengthening the bank’s leadership across finance, governance, risk management and institutional transformation.

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Apple and Google roll out end-to-end encrypted messaging between iPhone and Android users

Apple and Google have begun rolling out end-to-end encrypted messaging for conversations between iPhone and Android users, marking a major shift in cross-platform communication and mobile privacy.

Africa’s IT asset visibility gap raises financial control and governance risks, experts warn

Africa’s drive towards stronger financial discipline, cost optimisation and improved governance is being undermined by a growing blind spot in corporate IT management: the lack of accurate, real-time visibility of technology assets such as laptops, desktops and distributed computing equipment.

World Bank, Global Energy Alliance launch Africa energy initiative to drive jobs and economic growth

The World Bank Group and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet have announced a new partnership aimed at expanding the productive use of energy across Africa through a regional Centre of Excellence to be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Facebook celebrates African film industry in new ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ campaign

Facebook has launched the sixth edition of its pan-African campaign, Made by Africa, Loved by the World: Where Stories Spark Community, with this year’s spotlight firmly on African cinema ahead of Africa Day on 25 May.

Meta’s advertising revenue set to hit $240bn in 2026 as AI drives rapid growth

Meta is expected to generate $240 billion in advertising revenue in 2026, marking a 22.3 per cent increase and outpacing growth across the global social media advertising market, according to new data from WARC Media.

Promasidor Nigeria and Cowbell win three major industry awards

Promasidor Nigeria and its flagship dairy brand, Cowbell, have secured three major industry recognitions, further strengthening the company’s position in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods sector.

Grammy Awards to air on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu in major 2027 broadcast shake-up

The 2027 Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, 7 February 2027, with the ceremony set to air simultaneously on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu for the first time.

M-KOPA secures fifth straight Financial Times ranking among Africa’s fastest-growing companies


Pan-African fintech company M-KOPA has been named on the Financial Times’ list of Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies for the fifth consecutive year, making it one of only five businesses to appear on the ranking every year since its launch.

JA Africa, ExxonMobil Foundation launch STEM Africa 2.0 to boost AI, STEM skills among youth



JA Africa and the ExxonMobil Foundation have launched the 2026 ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Programme, an initiative aimed at equipping young Africans with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and artificial intelligence (AI) skills.